Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I open my mouth, but the words are stuck in my throat.
Why was Harrison there?
Was he spying on me?
Did he see me walk into the grand suite with Mr. Calloway? Was he jealous?
He wouldn’t have heard anything. I couldn’t make any noise after the body collapsed onto me.
I’m grateful he was there…but my sister makes a good point.
“Furthermore,” Rouge continues, “I’ve had a chance to examine the body. It’s already begun to exhibit signs of decay. His skin has become waxy, his eyes have clouded over, and his temperature has lowered significantly.” She folds her fan back up and claps it into her other hand. “He’s been deceased for an hour, perhaps longer.” Her eyes glint with a roguish shine. “So what, dear sister, were you doing in that hour before his death was reported to me?”
Harrison and I lock our gazes on one another.
We know exactly what we were doing.
And I’m pretty sure Chet knows as well.
“I was… I was in shock,” I say after an endless pause. “I think we both were.”
Harrison nods. “We were comforting one another.”
I almost laugh at that. It’s not technically a lie. I’m much more at ease after letting Harrison’s huge cock rip through me.
Rouge purses her lips. “I see.” She runs her fingers along the ridges of her fan as she turns to Harrison. “Nonetheless, policy is policy, Doctor. It’s nothing personal, but if I make exceptions for you, I will be expected to make exceptions for everyone else. Aces Underground is not a charity, and people are not entitled to membership, no matter how ruggedly handsome they may be.” She traces her free hand up and down his arm, which makes me want to smack her. “But you’re an important man in the city. It would not be surprising for you to one day receive an invitation to become a member in your own right.”
I have to stifle another laugh. People are members of Aces Underground at Rouge’s pleasure, and many remarkable people in Chicago have never received an invite. Most members have some sort of exceptional power or influence that Rouge can weaponize for her own means.
While Harrison is undoubtedly a decent physician in a good hospital, he doesn’t quite fit that bill.
So unless his friend Maddox reappears out of thin air and starts bringing him to the club, this will be the last time he sees the interior of Aces Underground.
But I’ll be damned if it’s the last time I see Harrison.
I bow my head in mock submission and step out of the Green Door’s path. “Fine. Rules are rules.”
“That’s a good girl.” Rouge nods to Chet. “Escort Dr. O’Rourke to the exit.”
“Yes, my Queen.” Chet takes Harrison’s arm.
I reach into my clutch and grab a business card. The bulk of it is taken up by a color headshot, but it has my phone number and email address on it. I slip it into Harrison’s jacket pocket as Chet leads him out.
He looks back, and I extend my thumb and pinky out into a telephone sign. “Call me when you can,” I mouth silently.
He nods, his eyes fiery even as Chet drags him up the mirrored staircase and out of view.
13
HARRISON
Fuck.
That was some night.
I can’t believe it.
Chet just slammed the black door leading to the back alley off Randolph and State in my face. He didn’t say a word. Probably for the best. Every time that fucker opens his mouth, he spews out some asinine bullshit that leaves me with more questions than answers.
I’m still standing in the alley, half expecting Bianca to burst through the door.
But that’s not going to happen.
She’s on the clock, and she’s probably already in some deep shit with her sister.
I feel bad for her.
I like Bianca.
I like her a lot.
When I came to Aces this evening, the last thing on my mind was getting some action. My main objective was to find out as much as I could about Alissa and Maddox’s time here.
I failed in that regard. I learned next to nothing about their sudden desire to cart off to the other side of the globe.
But I don’t regret coming.
Bianca. Sweet Bianca.
Her name rolls off the tongue like a song. It might be the most beautiful name I’ve ever heard.
But her name, as lovely as it is, doesn’t do her justice.
She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve laid eyes on. And I’ve dated a host of attractive women—I’m not exactly hideous, and being a doctor has its perks—but none of them hold a candle to Bianca Montrose.
Fuck. I’m hard.
It’s only been a half hour since Bianca and I had sex in the grand suite. I usually need some time before I’m ready to go again. Not the case here.
I discreetly adjust myself beneath my pants as I walk around the corner to the hospital, take the elevator up to the parking garage, and begin the drive home.